Bed device drive wheel and bed device

Abstract

To provide a bed device drive wheel and a bed device having good usability.SOLUTION: A bed device drive wheel provided in a bed device, comprises: a traveling part for electrically rotating a wheel; and a steering part for electrically changing a direction of the wheel.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] FIELD OF THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to drive wheels for bed apparatus and bed apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] A bed device equipped with electrically driven drive wheels is known (Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] U.S. Patent No. 10,912,685 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The bed apparatus described in Patent Document 1 controls the direction by the speed difference between the left and right wheels, so there is a risk that the drive wheels will become larger and have higher output.

[0005] An object of the embodiments of the present invention is to provide a drive wheel for a bed apparatus and a bed apparatus that are easy to use. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a drive wheel for a bed device is provided on a bed body, and is characterized by having a running unit that electrically rotates the wheel and a steering unit that electrically changes the direction of the wheel. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the embodiments of the present invention, it is possible to provide a drive wheel for a bed apparatus and a bed apparatus that are easy to use. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing a bed apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical system of the bed apparatus. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a side view of the bed apparatus. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a front view of the bed apparatus. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view showing a driving wheel for a bed apparatus. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a plan view of a lower support portion of the bed apparatus as viewed from above. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the bed drive wheel alone. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view showing the bed drive wheel in FIG. 7. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a front view of the drive wheel for the bed apparatus; [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a front view showing the case where the wheel in FIG. 9 is turned. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] A driving wheel for a bed apparatus and a bed apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a bed apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical system of the bed apparatus. FIG. 3 is a side view of the bed apparatus. FIG. 4 is a front view of the bed apparatus. FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of a driving wheel for a bed apparatus. FIG. 6 is a plan view of the lower support part of the bed apparatus as seen from above. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the bed drive wheel alone. 8 is an exploded perspective view showing the bed drive wheel in FIG. FIG. 9 is a front view of the driving wheel for the bed apparatus. FIG. 10 is a front view showing the case where the wheels in FIG. 9 are turned.

[0011] The bed apparatus 10 shown in Fig. 1 is used in, for example, nursing homes and hospitals, and is capable of electrically adjusting the height of the backrest, knee area, etc. In Fig. 1, the diagonally lower right side of the bed apparatus 10 is the head side, and the diagonally upper left side of the bed apparatus 10 is the foot side. In the embodiment, the head side is referred to as the "front" and the foot side as the "rear," and the explanation will be given as the "left" and "right" from the perspective of a user lying on their back on the bed body 20. The bed apparatus 10 comprises the bed body 20 and a bed apparatus drive wheel 60.

[0012] The bed body 20 has an upper support portion 30 and a lower support portion 50. The upper support portion 30 has a back bottom portion 31, a waist bottom portion 32, a knee bottom portion 33, a leg bottom portion 34, a headboard 35, a footboard 36, and side rails 37.

[0013] Mattresses (not shown) are placed on the back bottom 31, waist bottom 32, knee bottom 33, and leg bottom 34. The back bottom 31, waist bottom 32, knee bottom 33, and leg bottom 34 support the user via the mattresses. The back bottom 31 supports the head and back of the user lying on the bed body 20. The waist bottom 32 supports the waist and buttocks of the user lying on the bed body 20. The knee bottom 33 supports the thighs of the user lying on the bed body 20. The leg bottom 34 supports the lower legs of the user lying on the bed body 20.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 1, the headboard 35 is disposed in front of the back bottom 31. The footboard 36 is disposed behind the leg bottom 34. The side rails 37 are located on the left and right sides of each bottom 31 to 34. The side rails 37 are movable in the up and down direction. In FIG. 1, the right side rail 37 is shown in a lowered state. The upper support part 30 is supported by the lower support part 50 via, for example, a lifting mechanism.

[0015] Below each bottom 31 to 34, there are provided a backrest mechanism for raising or lowering the back bottom 31, a knee-raising mechanism for raising or lowering the knee bottom 33 and leg bottom 34, a lifting mechanism for raising or lowering the upper support part 30, and a control device 45 for controlling the operation of each mechanism.

[0016] The backrest mechanism, knee-raising mechanism, and lifting mechanism each have a drive device formed, for example, by an electric cylinder. The backrest mechanism raises or lowers the back bottom 31 by operation of the first drive device 40. The knee-raising mechanism bends the knee bottom 33 and leg bottom 34 in a mountain fold by operation of the second drive device 41. The lifting mechanism raises or lowers the upper support part 30 by operation of the third drive device 42. As a result, the height dimension of each bottom 31 to 34 from the floor surface of the bed body 20 can be adjusted.

[0017] The control device 45 controls the operation of the first to third drive devices 40 to 43. The control device 45 is connected to a power source such as a hand switch 47 and a battery 48. The control device 45 has a memory unit 45a. The memory unit 45a stores a program for operating the first to third drive devices 40 to 43. The control device 45 supplies power from the battery 48 to the first to third drive devices 40 to 43 based on a command signal sent from the hand switch 47.

[0018] The control device 45 also controls the operation of the bed apparatus drive wheels 60 and rear drive wheels 70, which will be described later. A program for operating the bed apparatus drive wheels 60 and rear drive wheels 70 is stored in the memory unit 45a of the control device 45. The control device 45 supplies power from the battery 48 to the bed apparatus drive wheels 60 and rear drive wheels 70 based on a command signal sent from a hand switch 47. This allows the bed apparatus 10 to travel electrically.

[0019] The lower support unit 50 supports the upper support unit 30 via a lifting mechanism. As shown in FIG. 6 , the lower support unit 50 includes a first vertical member 51, a second vertical member 52, a first horizontal member 53, and a second horizontal member 54. The first vertical member 51 and the second vertical member 52 extend in the longitudinal direction (front-to-back direction) and are spaced apart in the lateral direction (left-to-right direction). The first horizontal member 53 connects the first vertical member 51 and the second vertical member 52 at their front ends. The second horizontal member 54 connects the first vertical member 51 and the second vertical member 52 at their rear ends. The lower support unit 50 is a base frame formed in a frame shape by the first vertical member 51, the second vertical member 52, the first horizontal member 53, and the second horizontal member 54.

[0020] The lower support part 50 further includes casters 56. The casters 56 are provided, for example, on the front and rear end sides of the first vertical member 51 and the second vertical member 52. That is, the bed body 20 includes four casters 56. The casters 56 are, for example, swivel casters that can turn to follow the traveling direction of the bed apparatus 10. Note that the front wheels of the casters 56 may be swivel casters, and the rear wheels may be fixed casters.

[0021] Next, the bed apparatus drive wheel 60 will be described.

[0022] The bed apparatus drive wheel 60 is provided on the front end side of the bed body 20. In this example, the bed apparatus drive wheel 60 constitutes the front drive wheel of the bed apparatus 10. The bed apparatus drive wheel 60 electrically drives the bed body 20. As shown in FIGS. 6 to 10, the bed apparatus drive wheel 60 includes an attachment part 61, a buffer part 63, a steering part 65, and a running part 67.

[0023] The mounting part 61 is attached to the lower support part 50. The mounting part 61 has a first part 61a attached to the first vertical member 51, a second part 61b attached to the second vertical member 52, and a connection part 61c connecting the first part 61a and the second part 61b. As shown in FIG. 6 , the mounting part 61 is provided so as to bridge between the first vertical member 51 and the second vertical member 52 by the first part 61a, the second part 61b, and the connection part 61c.

[0024] The first portion 61a and the second portion 61b are attached to the first vertical member 51 and the second vertical member 52, respectively, by bolts or the like. Therefore, the bed apparatus drive wheel 60 can be easily attached to an existing bed body 20.

[0025] The connection part 61c has a recess 61c1 recessed upward from the bottom surface. The recess 61c1 is provided in the center of the connection part 61c in the left-right direction. A spring 63b (described later) is inserted into the recess 61c1. The upper surface of the recess 61c1 supports the upper end side of the spring 63b.

[0026] The buffer section 63 is provided below the connection part 61c. The buffer section 63 is located between the mounting section 61 and a traveling section 67 and a steering section 65, which will be described later, and absorbs vibrations of the traveling section 67 and the steering section 65. The buffer section 63 has a vibration plate section 63a, a spring 63b, and a damper 63c.

[0027] The vibration plate portion 63a is a portion to which vibrations from the traveling portion 67 and the steering portion 65 are transmitted. The vibration plate portion 63a has a cylindrical, bottomed tubular portion 63a1 that protrudes downward from the upper surface. The tubular portion 63a1 is provided at a position corresponding to the recessed portion 61c1 of the connection portion 61c in the up-down direction. A spring 63b is inserted into the tubular portion 63a1. That is, the lower end of the spring 63b is supported by the lower surface of the tubular portion 63a1, and the upper end of the spring 63b is supported by the upper surface of the recessed portion 61c1.

[0028] The dampers 63c are provided between the diaphragm portion 63a and the connection portion 61c. In this example, the buffer portion 63 has four dampers 63c. The four dampers 63c are provided so as to surround the periphery of the spring 63b. The vibration of the diaphragm portion 63a is damped by the spring 63b and the dampers 63c. The diaphragm portion 63a is attached to the connection portion 61c by bolts 63a2 via the dampers 63c.

[0029] The steering unit 65 is attached to the underside of the vibration plate 63a. The steering unit 65 electrically changes the direction of wheels 67b of the traveling unit 67, which will be described later. The steering unit 65 has a case 65a, a steering motor 65b, a protrusion 65c, and a turning unit 65d.

[0030] Steering motor 65b is housed inside case 65a. As shown in Fig. 2, steering motor 65b is connected to control device 45, and its operation is controlled by control device 45. Steering motor 65b transmits rotational force to turning portion 65d.

[0031] The protruding portion 65c protrudes forward from the lower end side of the case 65a. The protruding portion 65c has an insertion hole 65c1 into which the cylindrical portion 63a1 of the vibration plate portion 63a is inserted. The steering unit 65 is attached to the damper 63c via the vibration plate portion 63a by a bolt 65c2.

[0032] The upper end of the swivel portion 65d is located inside the protruding portion 65c, and the lower end thereof protrudes downward from the protruding portion 65c. The swivel portion 65d is connected to the steering motor 65b inside the protruding portion 65c. A gear such as a speed reduction mechanism may be provided between the steering motor 65b and the swivel portion 65d. The swivel portion 65d rotates clockwise or counterclockwise by operation of the steering motor 65b.

[0033] The running unit 67 is attached to the underside of the swivel unit 65d. The running unit 67 electrically drives the bed body 20. The running unit 67 has a support shaft 67a, wheels 67b, and a running motor 67c.

[0034] The support shaft 67a has a contact portion 67a1 that contacts the underside of the swivel portion 65d, a first extension portion 67a2 and a second extension portion 67a3 that extend downward from the contact portion 67a1, and a shaft portion 67a4 that extends between the first extension portion 67a2 and the second extension portion 67a3. The wheel 67b is provided between the first extension portion 67a2 and the second extension portion 67a3. The wheel 67b is rotatably supported on the shaft portion 67a4.

[0035] The traveling motor 67c is housed inside the wheel 67b. As shown in Fig. 2, the traveling motor 67c is connected to the control device 45, and its operation is controlled by the control device 45. The traveling motor 67c transmits rotational force to the wheel 67b. Note that a gear such as a reduction mechanism may be provided between the traveling motor 67c and the wheel 67b.

[0036] In this way, the bed apparatus 10 can move forward and backward electrically by operating the travel motor 67c. In this case, since the travel motor 67c is housed inside the wheel 67b, there is no need to provide a shaft or the like around the wheel 67b. Therefore, the bed apparatus drive wheel 60 can be installed in a narrow space in the bed body 20.

[0037] Furthermore, the bed apparatus 10 can electrically change its direction of travel by operating the steering motor 65b. In this case, as shown in Fig. 10, the steering motor 65b changes the direction of the wheels 67b of the traveling section 67. As a result, the bed apparatus drive wheel 60 can change the direction of travel of the bed apparatus 10 even with only one wheel 67b.

[0038] The rear drive wheels 70 are provided on the rear end side of the bed body 20. The rear drive wheels 70 are used to electrically propel the bed body 20. Of the drive wheels 60 for the bed apparatus, the rear drive wheels 70 do not have a steering function. That is, the wheels 72 of the rear drive wheels 70 rotate when the travel motor 71 is activated. The rear drive wheels 70 may be the same as the drive wheels 60 for the bed apparatus. Furthermore, the bed apparatus 10 does not necessarily have to have the rear drive wheels 70.

[0039] Next, the push-up mechanism 80 that pushes up the running portion 67 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0040] The push-up mechanism 80 moves the traveling unit 67 away from the floor when, for example, the power supply from the battery 48 is cut off. The push-up mechanism 80 has an operating unit 81, a rotating shaft 82, and a push-up unit 83. The rear drive wheel 70 is also provided with the same push-up mechanism 80 as that provided on the bed apparatus drive wheel 60.

[0041] The operating unit 81 is provided between the upper support unit 30, the lower support unit 50, and the side rail 37. As shown in Fig. 5, the operating unit 81 is supported in a cantilevered state by the rotating shaft 82. The pushing-up unit 83 extends from the rotating shaft 82 toward the lower surface of the diaphragm unit 63a.

[0042] When the operating unit 81 is pushed downward, the rotation shaft 82 rotates, causing the push-up unit 83 to push the vibration plate unit 63a upward. As a result, the running unit 67 is pushed upward, and the wheels 67b can be released from the floor surface. In this state, when the bed apparatus 10 is locked by a locking mechanism (not shown), the bed apparatus 10 can be manually moved by the casters 56.

[0043] When the locking mechanism is released, the pushing portion 83 is pressed by the biasing force of the spring 63b and the damper 63c, and the operating portion 81 returns to its original position, whereby the wheels 67b of the running portion 67 contact the floor surface.

[0044] Next, the position of the wheel 67b of the bed apparatus drive wheel 60 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0045] The wheel 67b is located between the wheel 56a of the caster 56 and the headboard 35. The center of the wheel 67b is located longitudinally outward of the center of the wheel 56a of the caster 56. That is, in the side view shown in FIG. 3, the center of the wheel 67b is located forward of the center of the wheel 56a of the caster 56 by a dimension L. This allows a space S to be formed below the first vertical member 51 and the second vertical member 52. For example, the legs of a bed table (not shown) can be inserted into this space S. This makes it possible to provide a bed apparatus 10 that is easy to use.

[0046] If the dimension L between the center of the wheel 67b and the center of the wheel 56a of the caster 56 is large, there is a risk that the wheel 56a of the caster 56 may lift off the floor surface when the bed apparatus 10 enters an inclined surface. Therefore, the dimension L between the center of the wheel 67b and the center of the wheel 56a of the caster 56 is set to a value that can be absorbed by the buffer part 63 so that the wheel 56a of the caster 56 does not lift off when the bed apparatus 10 enters an inclined surface.

[0047] In the above-described embodiment, an example was described in which the bed apparatus drive wheels 60 are provided in addition to the casters 56. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, the casters 56 of the bed apparatus may be replaced with the bed apparatus drive wheels 60.

[0048] In the above-described embodiment, an example has been described in which the bed apparatus 10 is electrically driven by the hand switch 47. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a command signal for self-propelled movement may be sent to the bed apparatus 10 from a management device in a management room of a care facility or hospital or a mobile information terminal of the manager. In other words, the bed apparatus 10 may be automatically driven without any person present.

[0049] In the above-described embodiment, the push-up mechanism 80 is provided in anticipation of a case where the power supply is cut off (OFF). However, the push-up mechanism 80 does not have to be provided. For example, when the power supply is turned off, the bed apparatus drive wheels 60 may be free to rotate. For example, when the travel motor 67c and the steering motor 65b are energized, gears of a speed reduction mechanism are connected between the travel motor 67c and the wheels 67b, and gears of a speed reduction mechanism are connected between the steering motor 65b and the swivel unit 65d, so that the bed apparatus 10 can be electrically driven. On the other hand, when the travel motor 67c and the steering motor 65b are not energized, the gears of the speed reduction mechanism may be disconnected, allowing the wheels 67b and the swivel unit 65d to rotate freely.

[0050] Embodiments may include the following features. (Configuration 1) In the drive wheel for the bed apparatus provided on the bed body, A running unit that electrically rotates the wheels; a steering unit that electrically changes the direction of the wheels; A drive wheel for a bed apparatus, comprising: (Configuration 2) the traveling unit has a traveling motor that rotates the wheels, 2. The driving wheel for a bed apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the travel motor is provided inside the wheel. (Configuration 3) The steering unit includes: a swivel unit to which the traveling unit is attached; a steering motor that rotates the turning unit; 3. A driving wheel for a bed apparatus according to configuration 1 or 2, comprising: (Configuration 4) 4. The driving wheel for a bed apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 3, further comprising a buffer section for absorbing vibrations of the traveling section and the steering section. (Configuration 5) The drive wheel for a bed apparatus according to configuration 3, wherein when the travel motor and the steering motor are not energized, the wheel and the swivel portion are freely rotatable. (Configuration 6) an upper support having a bottom; a lower support portion that supports the upper support portion; A driving wheel for a bed apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 5 provided on the lower support portion; A bed apparatus comprising: (Configuration 7) the lower support portion has a first vertical member and a second vertical member extending in a longitudinal direction and spaced apart in a lateral direction; 7. The bed apparatus according to configuration 6, wherein the bed apparatus drive wheel is provided so as to bridge between the first vertical member and the second vertical member. (Configuration 8) The lower support further includes a caster; The bed apparatus according to configuration 6 or 7, wherein the center of the wheel of the drive wheel for the bed apparatus is located outward in the longitudinal direction from the center of the wheel of the caster. (Configuration 9) The bed apparatus according to configuration 8, further comprising a push-up mechanism for separating the wheels of the bed apparatus drive wheels from the floor surface.

[0051] The above describes embodiments of the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to these descriptions. Design modifications made by a person skilled in the art to the above-described embodiments are also included within the scope of the present invention as long as they incorporate the features of the present invention. For example, the shape, dimensions, materials, and arrangement of each element of the drive wheels for the bed apparatus and the bed apparatus are not limited to those exemplified and can be modified as appropriate. Furthermore, the elements of the above-described embodiments can be combined to the extent technically possible, and such combinations are also included within the scope of the present invention as long as they incorporate the features of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0052] 10 Bed equipment 20 Bed body 30 Upper support part 31 Back Bottom 32 Waist Bottoms 33 Knee Bottoms 34 Leg bottom 35 Headboard 36 Footboard 37 Side rail 40 First Drive Unit 41 Second drive unit 42 Third Drive Unit 45 Control Device 45a Storage section 47 Hand switch 48 Battery 50 Lower support part 51 First vertical member 52 Second vertical member 53 1st horizontal member 54 2nd horizontal member 56 Caster 56a wheels 60 Drive wheel for bed device 61 Mounting part 61a Part 1 61b Part 2 61c Connection part 61c1 Recess 63 Buffer section 63a Diaphragm part 63a1 Cylinder part 63a2 bolt 63b Spring 63c Damper 65 Steering section 65a Case 65b Steering motor 65c protrusion 65c1 Insertion hole 65c2 bolts 65d turning part 67 Running part 67a Support shaft 67a1 Contact part 67a2 1st extension part 67a3 2nd extension part 67a4 shaft part 67b wheels 67c traction motor 70 rear drive wheels 71 Travel motor 72 wheels 80 Push-up mechanism 81 Operation section 82 Rotation axis 83 Push-up part S space

Claims

1. In the drive wheel for the bed apparatus provided on the bed body, A running unit that electrically rotates the wheels; a steering unit that electrically changes the direction of the wheels; A drive wheel for a bed apparatus, comprising:

2. the traveling unit has a traveling motor that rotates the wheels, 2. The driving wheel for a bed apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the travel motor is provided inside the wheel.

3. The steering unit includes: a swivel unit to which the traveling unit is attached; a steering motor that rotates the turning unit; 2. The driving wheel for a bed apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

4. 2. The driving wheel for a bed apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a buffer part for absorbing vibrations of the traveling part and the steering part.

5. 4. The driving wheel for a bed apparatus according to claim 3, wherein when the travel motor and the steering motor are not energized, the wheel and the swivel portion are rotatable.

6. an upper support having a bottom; a lower support portion that supports the upper support portion; The driving wheel for the bed apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, which is provided on the lower support part; A bed apparatus comprising:

7. the lower support portion has a first vertical member and a second vertical member extending in a longitudinal direction and spaced apart in a lateral direction; The bed apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the bed apparatus drive wheel is provided so as to bridge between the first vertical member and the second vertical member.

8. The lower support further includes a caster; The bed apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the center of the wheel of the bed apparatus drive wheel is positioned outward in the longitudinal direction from the center of the wheel of the caster.

9. The bed apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising a push-up mechanism for separating the wheels of the bed apparatus drive wheels from the floor surface.

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